The Jacksonville Jaguars are taking on the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 8, and one of the biggest threats they will face is running back Jonathan Taylor. Despite a losing season that the Colts have seemingly already given up on, Taylor has been one of the few bright spots on the roster.
One of the best running backs in the league, Taylor has had 587 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in seven games. He has averaged 4.2 yards per attempt, and topped 90 rushing yards in five of seven games, including 95 yards against Minnesota last week. His only game below 50 came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, when he was held to 45 yards on 15 carries.
ESPN's Seth Walder is predicting the Jaguars will do the same on Sunday.
"Colts RB Jonathan
Taylor will record fewer than 50 rushing yards for just the second time this season," he wrote. "The rushing attack has been one of the only things that has gone right for the Colts. But I think they'll struggle in Week 8 facing the Jaguars' defense, which has the best EPA allowed per designed rush in the league, without Nelson."
As Walder pointed out, Jacksonville leads the NFL in EPA allowed per designed run, and has the best run defense in the league. Taylor will now have to face that defense without one of the NFL's best run blockers in front of him.
Indianapolis traded six-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round selection. Nelson had started at left guard for the Colts since being drafted sixth overall in 2018. Rookie Jalen Farmer is expected to make his first NFL start in Nelson's place Sunday.
Taylor remains the obvious focal point of Indianapolis' offense, particularly with the Colts struggling to find consistent production through Daniel Jones and the passing game. But that also means Jacksonville knows exactly where its defensive attention needs to go.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: ESPN makes bold prediction for the Jaguars and Jonathan Taylor
